🎬 “The Voice of Hind Rajab” Achieves New Oscar Milestone

The Palestinian film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” directed by Kawthar Ben Hania has reached the final shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, adding another milestone to Palestinian cinema’s global achievements.

The film, which has won more than fifteen awards, is the third of Ben Hania’s films to reach the Oscar shortlist. It is also the fourth achievement for MAD Solutions in this category.

🏆 From Festival to Festival

Since its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, the film was welcomed with a standing ovation lasting over 20 minutes, and won seven awards, including:

• Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize

• Lion of the Future

• Italian Red Cross Award

• Arca Cinema Giovani Award

• UNICEF Cinema Recognition

• Premio Sorriso Diverso

• Enrico Fulchignoni Award (UNESCO)

The film also received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations, and recently won two awards at the Carthage Film Festival:

• Best Actress for Saja Kilani

• Jury Prize

🌍 Global Screenings and Audience Awards

The film was screened at over 15 international festivals, including:

• Doha Film Festival (Opening)

• Cairo International Film Festival (Closing)

It won multiple audience and specialized awards, such as:

• Audience Award for Best Feature Film

• Social Impact Award at Cinemed Montpellier

• Audience Award at Mostra Valencia

• Audience Award at Leeds International Film Festival

• Audience Award at Warsaw Film Festival

• Grand Prize for Best Film 2025 at Ghent Film Festival

🔥 Plot Summary

The story unfolds on January 29, 2024, when Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call from a six-year-old girl trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, begging to be rescued.
They struggle to keep her on the line while trying to bring an ambulance. Her name was Hind Rajab.

🌟 Hollywood Support

Following admiration for the film, several Hollywood stars joined as executive producers, including:

• Brad Pitt

• Joaquin Phoenix

• Rooney Mara

• Directors Alfonso Cuarón and Jonathan Glazer

Additional executive producers include prominent figures from the film industry and beyond.

🎭 Cast and Crew

Starring:

• Saja Kilani

• Motaz Malhis

• Clara Khoury

• Amer Halil

Key crew:

• Cinematography: Juan Sarmiento G.

• Editing: Qutaiba Barhamji, Maxime Mathis, Kawthar Ben Hania

• Music: Amin Bouhafa

• Production Design: Bassem Marzouk

🎥 International Production and Distribution

The film is a Tunisian-French co-production, written and directed by Kawthar Ben Hania.
MAD Distribution handles theatrical and cultural screenings in the Arab world, while Sunnyland handles digital distribution in MENA, and The Party Film Sales manages global sales.